Abstract

Geometrical optics, in spite of its relatively simple treatment of the properties of light, has proved to be extraordinarily useful for many types of system. Physical optics analysis using a complex amplitude description of the wavefront can, in principle, more accurately calculate the properties of many types of system. The greater power comes with greater complexity and increased cost of calculation. By artfully including paraxial and exact geometrical principles, physical optics calculations can more readily be applied to a variety of simple and complex optical systems. The series of diffraction operations needed to propagate through an optical train can be associated with the paraxial properties plus the addition of aberration. Conventional lenses and mirrors as well as unconventional elements such as GRIN elements may be treated in this fashion. The concepts of optical path lengths and reduced distances also play an important role in characterizing diffraction effects.

© 1989 Optical Society of America